The Power of Genuine Leadership at South Alabama University

In the episode In The Club powered by Club Colors, we continue the conversation with Mike Wilkinson, the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs at the University of South Alabama. Mike shares his journey of adapting to a new campus environment and the importance of being genuine and authentic in both personal and professional life. He emphasized the need for higher education institutions, especially within student affairs, to effectively tell their stories and connect with students through digital media and social platforms. The conversation delves into creating impactful student experiences, highlighting efforts like the return of the homecoming concert and the development of a new Student Involvement Department. The discussion also touches on the significance of mental health awareness, the importance of team leadership, and building strong collaborative relationships across campus. Furthermore, insights about leveraging branding for community building and future goals of personal growth, including aspirations of becoming an NCAA basketball referee, are shared.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Community and Leadership: Emphasizing the importance of genuine leadership and fostering community within student affairs.
• Mental Health: Highlighting the critical role of mental health support and breaking the stigma associated with it.
• Social Media Presence: Encouraging student affairs professionals to utilize social media to tell their stories and engage with students.
• Event Management: Discussing the significance of student engagement through events like homecoming concerts and pre-game tailgate concerts.
• Collaboration: Stressing the power of partnerships and collaboration within the university, especially between student affairs and athletics.

QUOTES

• "Tell your story, the good, the bad, the ugly, how you got to where you're at is a key part of it."
• "We don't tell our story, especially in student affairs… you don't find them. They're a ghost."
• "We have to have courage. We have to have bravery, um, in these walks that we walk."
• "Being genuine is key. That's key. I take a lot of pride in being genuine and being authentic."
• "Hire good people, give them the resources that they need to do their job, and then get the heck out of their way."

Connect and learn more about Mike Wilkinson.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwilkinson7/

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